Physician Assistants

Rita Simpson, PA-C

Rita Simpson holds a Master of Physician Assistant degree from Wichita State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Harding University. Rita began her tenure at Advanced Pain Medicine Associates in 2001. She has received a board certification of Physician Assistants (PA-C), as well.

While growing up in Nashville, she knew at an early age that she would pursue a career in medicine as she’s always loved to help others. In her youth, Rita watched her great-grandmother die painfully in the hospital. This event in her life not only made an impression on her but also played a factor in choosing pain management as her specialty. According to Rita, “Although there are limits on what we can do, you still try to do what you can to help with (their) pain issue”. Rita has been happily married for 32 years and has two children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, studying medieval history, art, and architecture.

What does “Providing Hope for Pain Sufferers” mean to Rita?
“Giving the patient some relief from their daily stress and burden of chronic pain; therefore, allowing them to be able to work on their general health and healing. It means providing different modalities available to help deal with the chronic daily pain and stresses that come with a chronic health condition. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer for many who have multiple issues they are dealing with, but you want to provide the treatments that are possible and can give them some hope.”

Meosha Carr, PA-C

Meosha Carr holds a Master of Physician Assistant degree from Wichita State University. She also holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Chemistry degree from Wichita State University. She has received a certification of Physician Assistants (PA-C), as well.

Meosha grew up in Wichita and moved to Charleston, SC during middle school, where she graduated from high school. She later relocated back to her childhood hometown for both undergraduate and graduate school. Having learned Spanish in kindergarten, Meosha is able to communicate with patients fairly well in her second language. Meosha became interested in medicine organically, as she had longed to be part of a field that helps others that would also ensure she’d always be advancing. Since she became a part of the team here at Advanced Pain Medicine Associates, she realized how many patients are suffering from chronic pain and need trusting, kind and good providers to treat them. Shortly after working at the center, she realized how valuable pain management is, whether through medications or interventional therapies. Her husband is a high school teacher and high school and AAU basketball coach, and she has one daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, reading and indulging in Mexican and Italian food.

What does “Providing Hope for Pain Sufferers” mean to Meosha?
“It means providing appropriate and kind care along with a variety of treatments to patients suffering from chronic pain, in order to make them feel better for themselves and for their loved ones. I think some people forget it is not just the patient that is affected with their chronic pain, but also those around the patient. Also, most patients come to us not having ever been offered different types of treatment and are grateful to actually have options.”

Zach Castor, PA-C

Zach Castor obtained his graduate degree from Wichita State University. Though his primary practice is Advanced Pain Medicine Associates, he is also affiliated with Wesley Hospital. He received a certification of Physician Assistants (PA-C), as well.

Zach grew up just southwest of Wichita, playing sports and staying busy as part of a rock band all throughout high school. It was when Zach had sustained a bad ACL and meniscus tear in his right knee at the age of 13 when he became interested in medicine. He was treated by an orthopedic surgeon who had wholly impressed Zach. At the time, he was already thinking of his future, and the event had led him to realize that he had a special interest in the sciences. From that age, he decided he was going to be a PA, and set his goals on that achievement. Zach tries to live out his Christian faith in all aspects of his life, and one of the main components of his faith that he feels called to is easing the pain and suffering of others. Zach makes it his goal to bless each patient and leave them feeling better about themselves after seeing him for an office visit. He is married to Katie and they have a dog named Timber. When he’s not chasing Timber around, he and Katie can be found relaxing, watching TV and cooking.

What does “Providing Hope for Pain Sufferers” mean to Zach?
“It means blessing people and letting them know they have a purpose and are worth it. Each person has a unique, God-given reason for being on this Earth, and pain has a nasty way of preventing people from achieving their purpose. It’s one thing to decrease someone’s pain and/or improve their functionality. It’s yet another thing altogether to remind them that once their pain is better, they have a purpose. They have work to do and a life to enjoy.”